What disease does ceruloplasmin test for?

In medical differential diagnosis, there is a test called ceruloplasmin test. Many people are not very familiar with this test and don’t know what it is used for. In fact, this is a method used to detect the content of ceruloplasmin in the body. The purpose of this test is to check whether the human body's Wilson's nucleus is deformed, and then determine whether the person is suffering from any disease. Then I will give you a detailed introduction to the distance and function of ceruloplasmin.

Purpose of ceruloplasmin testing

This test measures the amount of ceruloplasmin in the blood. Ceruloplasmin is a copper-containing enzyme that plays a role in the body's iron metabolism. Copper is an essential mineral that enters the body in the form of food and, after being absorbed in the intestines, is transported to the liver, where it is stored or used to form various enzymes. The liver combines copper with proceruloplasmin to form ceruloplasmin, which is then released into the blood. About 95% of the copper in the blood is in the form of ceruloplasmin. Therefore, ceruloplasmin testing can be used in conjunction with one or more copper tests to diagnose Wilson's disease and assess copper metabolism.

The significance of ceruloplasmin detection

The ceruloplasmin test is used along with other blood and/or urine copper tests to diagnose Wilson's disease, an inherited disorder in which excessive copper is stored in the liver, brain, and other organs due to decreased ceruloplasmin levels. In rare cases, it can also be used to diagnose or identify diseases related to copper deficiency.

Symptoms that require ceruloplasmin testing

It is tested along with other copper tests when signs and symptoms suspected to be due to Wilson's disease are present. These signs and symptoms include:

Anemia Nausea, abdominal pain Jaundice Fatigue Behavior changes Tremor Difficulty walking and/or swallowing Abnormal muscle tone In rare cases, ceruloplasmin testing and other related tests may be needed when your doctor suspects you have copper deficiency and needs to be monitored regularly.

What the test results mean

Normal value: Newborn: 10-300 mg/L (1-30 mg/dl). 6 months to 1 year: 150-500 mg/L (15-50 mg/dl). 1 to 12 years: 300 to 650 mg/L (30 to 650 mg/dl). >12 years: 150–600 mg/L (15–60 mg/dL).

Low levels of ceruloplasmin cannot be used as a specific indicator for diagnosing disease and must be performed simultaneously with other related tests.

Test results

If ceruloplasmin and blood copper levels are low and urine copper levels are high, the patient may have Wilson's disease.

About 5% of patients with Wilson's disease who experience neurologic symptoms have normal ceruloplasmin levels, whereas this may be true in 40% of patients who experience hepatic symptoms. If ceruloplasmin and copper concentrations in the urine and/or blood are low, the patient may have copper deficiency.

Any factor that interferes with copper acquisition or the body's ability to metabolize copper has the potential to affect ceruloplasmin and copper concentrations.

Situations in which ceruloplasmin testing is not clinically significant

In some cases, ceruloplasmin may also be elevated, in which case this test is not clinically significant. These conditions include: Ceruloplasmin is an acute phase reactant protein. Plasma concentrations of ceruloplasmin increase in inflammation, severe infection, tissue damage, and certain tumors. Ceruloplasmin may also be elevated during pregnancy and with the use of estrogens, oral contraceptives, and some drugs such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and valproic acid. Ceruloplasmin is not routinely tested. Medical/Education Network Collection and Organization Unless your doctor suspects that you have Wilson's disease or a copper metabolism-related disease, this test is generally not necessary. If Wilson's disease is strongly suspected based on blood, urine, and imaging test results, a liver biopsy may be done to assess liver copper levels.